Rock photographer Jim Marshall dies at 74

Jim Marshall, the photographer whose images helped define rock photography in the 1960s and 1970s, died in his sleep in a hotel in New York on Tuesday. He was 74.

His death was confirmed by Peter Blachley of the Morrison Hotel gallery in New York, which represents him there.

After starting as a professional photographer in 1959, Marshall was given unparalleled access to rock’s biggest artists, including the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Who, Miles Davis, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Thelonious Monk and Ray Charles. He was the only photographer granted backstage access for the Beatles’ final full concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1966 and he also shot the Rolling Stones on their historic 1972 tour.

Jim Marshall continued to take pictures until his final days. Most recently, he photographed John Mayer, Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz and Limp Bizkit.

His work is published in five books, including the 2009 collection "Trust."

Marshall always insisted he didn't have talent; he said he simply could "see the music."

Jim Marshall was in New York this week for a party marking the release of his new book, "Match Prints," produced jointly with celebrity photographer Timothy White, said San Francisco photographer Michael Zagaris, who was with Mr. Marshall last week.

An exhibition of photos from "Match Prints" is set to go on display Friday at New York's Staley-Wise Gallery.